Creating 3D Objects

Creating 3D Polygons

The 3D Polygon Tool lets you create polygons that have a location in 3D space. While they are planar, you can rotate them, place them in perspective, and translate them in space like any other 3D object. Unlike their 2D counterparts, 3D polygons must be rendered to have a fill pattern.

To create a planar 3D polygon

    1. Select the 3D Polygon Tool from the 3D Tools palette.

    Note: You must be in a 3D view to use a 3D tool. If you are not, a dialog box appears asking if you want to switch to a 3D view. Click either Yes or Yes Always.

    2. Click to mark the polygon's start point (first vertex).

    3. Click at each vertex.

    4. Click to end the polygon.

    If you want to create an open polygon, double-click at the final vertex.

    If you want to create a closed polygon, single-click the first vertex (a point cue appears). VectorWorks will automatically join the first and last vertex, creating a closed polygon.

Extruded Rectangles

The Extruded Rectangle Tool lets you create rectangles that have a height in any 3D layer and projection. Because they have a location in 3D space, extruded rectangles can be manipulated like other 3D objects. They can be rotated, placed in perspective, and translated in 3D space.

Unlike 2D rectangles, extruded rectangles must be rendered if you want them to have a fill pattern. VectorWorks' Extruded Rectangle Tool creates mesh objects.

To create an extruded rectangle

    1. Select the Extruded Rectangle Tool from the 3D Tools palette.

    2. Click to mark one of the rectangle's corner points.

    The Set Z Height dialog box appears.

    3. Enter the height you want to use for your polygon.

    4. Click OK.

    5. Click at the end point of the extruded rectangle.

Extruded Polygons

Unlike the 3D Polygon Tool, the Extruded Polygon Tool lets you create 3D polygons that have a height. These polygons also can be rotated, placed in perspective, and translated in 3D space. They, too, must be rendered if you want them to have a fill pattern. Because VectorWorks considers these polygons to be mesh objects (not extruded objects), you can later edit their individual vertices.

To create an extruded 3D polygon

    1. Select the Extruded Polygon Tool from the 3D Tools palette.

    2. Click to mark the polylgon's start point (first vertex).

    The Set Z Height dialog box appears the first time you use this tool.

    3. Enter the height you want to use for your polygon.

    4. Click OK.

    5. Click at each vertex.

    6. Click to end the polygon.

    If you want to create an open polygon, double-click at the final vertex.

    If you want to create a closed polygon, single-click the first vertex (a point cue appears). VectorWorks will automatically join the first and last vertex, creating a closed polygon.

Creating Spheres

VectorWorks provides an automated way to create spheres with the Sphere Tool. A sphere is considered a solid object in that is shown in a wireframe rendering, even in a 2D view. Although you can create spheres using sweep features, the sphere tool is a quicker, simpler method. The Sphere Tool has three modes which determine how you create the sphere

Note: You must be in a 3D view to create a sphere. If you are not, VectorWorks displays a dialog box asking if you want to switch. Click either Yes or Yes Always.

Note: The resolution of these items is affected by 3D Res settings in the VectorWorks Preferences.

To create a sphere by radius

    1. Select the Sphere Tool.

    2. Click the Sphere by Radius mode button.

    3. Click the start point of the sphere.

    This will establish the center.

    4. Click the distance of the radius of the sphere to end the sphere.

To create a sphere by diameter

    1. Select the Sphere Tool.

    2. Click the Sphere by Diameter mode button.

    3. Click the start point of the sphere.

    This will establish a rotation point.

    4. Click the distance of the diameter of the sphere to end the sphere.

To create a sphere by center and radius

    1. Select the Sphere Tool.

    2. Click the Sphere by Center And Radius mode button.

    3. Click the start point of the sphere.

    This will establish the center.

    4. Three dotted lines appear which represent the height.

    5. Click at the height of the sphere.

    6. Click the distance of the radius of the sphere to end the sphere.

Creating Cones

VectorWorks provides an automated way to create cones with the Cone Tool. A cone is considered a solid object in that it is shown as a wireframe, even in a 2D view. Although you can create cones using the Multiple Extrude or Sweep commands, the Cone Tool is a quicker, simpler method. There are two modes for creating a cone: by Radius and Height and by Radius and Tip. The first creates the cone with its base on the Ground or Working Plane. The second allows you to snap to a point for placing the center of the base, as well as the tip of the cone. In this mode, it's possible to create a cone with the base off of the Working or Ground Planes.

Note: You must be in a 3D view to create a cone. If you are not, VectorWorks displays a dialog box asking if you want to switch. Click either Yes or Yes Always.

To create a cone using Radius and Height

    1. Click the Cone Tool.

    2. Click the Cone by Radius and Height mode button.

    3. Click at the center point of the cone base.

    4. Drag the mouse to the desired radius and click to set the radius.

    5. Set the height of the cone.

    Three dotted lines appear which represent the height. Drag the cursor to set the height or enter a height in the Set Z Height dialog box and click OK.

    Note: When in either Top or Bottom views, the height of the cone is set via the Set Z Height dialog box. In all other views, drag the cursor to set the height of the cone.

To create a cone using Radius and Tip

    1. Click the Cone Tool.

    2. Click the Cone by Radius and Tip mode button.

    3. Click at the center point of the cone base.

    If desired, use the Smart Point constraint to snap to a point.

    4. Drag the mouse to the desired radius and click to set the radius.

    5. Set the height of the cone.

    Three dotted lines appear which represent the height. Drag the cursor to set the height or enter a height in the Set Z Height dialog box and click OK.

    If desired, use the Smart Point constraint to snap to a point.

    Note: When in either Top or Bottom views, the height of the cone is set via the Set Z Height dialog box. In all other views, drag the cursor to set the height of the cone.

    Creating Hemispheres

    VectorWorks provides an automated way to create hemispheres with the Hemisphere Tool. A hemisphere is considered a solid object in that it's shown as a wireframe, even in a 2D view. Although you can create hemispheres using sweep features, the Hemisphere Tool is a quicker, simpler method.

    Note: You must be in a 3D view to create a hemisphere. If you are not, VectorWorks displays a dialog box asking if you want to switch. Click either Yes or Yes Always.

    To create a hemisphere by radius

      1. Choose any 3D view.

      2. Select the Hemisphere Tool.

      3. Choose the Hemisphere by Radius mode button.

      4. Click the start point of the hemisphere.

      This will establish the center.

      5. Click the distance of radius of the hemisphere to end the hemisphere.

    To create a hemisphere by diameter

      1. Choose any 3D view.

      2. Select the Hemisphere Tool.

      3. Choose the Hemisphere by Diameter mode button.

      4. Click the start point of the hemisphere.

      This will establish a rotation point.

      5. Click the distance of diameter of the sphere to end the hemisphere.

    To create a hemisphere by up radius

      1. Switch to a 3D view

      2. Select the Hemisphere Tool.

      3. Choose the Hemisphere by Up Radius mode button.

      4. Click the start point of the hemisphere.

      This will establish the center of the hemisphere.

      5. Click at the top of the hemisphere.

    Creating Loci

    3D Locus Tool

    The 3D Locus Tool places a 3D locus, a reference point, in your drawing. Because they are merely reference points, you cannot reshape 3D loci. They can be moved as any other object can. There is also a double-click dialog box available for 3D Loci.

    Note: 3D loci are placed more reliably if the Snap to Objects constraint button is active.

      1. Select the 3D Locus Tool from the 3D Tools palette.

      2. Click to place the locus.

      VectorWorks will place the locus on your working plane if you don't snap it to an object.

      3. Click for each additional locus.

    Extruding Objects

    Single Extrude

    You can turn 2D objects into 3D objects with the Extrude command. You can either choose to have VectorWorks automatically extrude the object to match the active layer's delta Z height, or you can choose to assign a different measurement.

    Note: If you extrude a selection of objects, VectorWorks will turn the objects into a single 3D Group of objects. To edit an individual object, you must first ungroup the set or edit the group.

    To extrude with Specified Parameters

      1. Select the desired viewing projection.

      2. Select the 2D object(s) you want to extrude.

      3. From the Model menu, select Extrude.

      The Create Extrude dialog box appears.

      4. Enter the desired criteria.

      5. Click OK.

      If you are in Top/Plan view, you will need to change the projection mode to see the extrude.

    To extrude using delta Z

      1. Select the desired viewing projection.

      2. Select or create the 2D object(s) you want to extrude.

      3. While pressing Option (Macintosh) or Shift (Windows) from the Model menu, select Extrude.

      VectorWorks will automatically extrude the object to the same thickness as the layer's delta Z measurement. If a delta Z has not been set, a dialog will appear asking you to set.

    Multiple Extrude

    You can create pyramids, spheres, and other 3D objects from a series of 2D objects. In addition, you can use a combination of 2D objects and locus points, which provide point of reference, with this command.

    To extrude with Specified Parameters

      1. Select the desired viewing projection.

      2. Select the 2D object(s) you want to extrude.

      3. From the Model menu, select Multiple Extrude.

      The Create Extrude dialog box appears.

      4. Enter the desired criteria.

      5. Click OK.

      If you are in Top/Plan view, you will need to change the projection mode to see the extrude.

    To create a multiple extrude

      1. Draw the series of two or more objects that you want to extrude into a single object, or a locus point and at least one object.

      2. Select the series of objects/locus points.

      3. While pressing Option (Macintosh) or Shift (Windows) from the Model menu, select Multiple Extrude.

      If you haven't set a delta Z height for the active layer, or if you haven't created any extruded objects, the Set Z Height dialog box will appear.

      4. Enter the distance you want to use for the extrude (distance from top to bottom of the object/locus point).

      5. Click OK.

      VectorWorks will extrude the set of objects/locus points, turning the extruded objects into a single, grouped object.

    Sweeping Objects

    The Sweep command gives you an easy way to convert 2D objects into 3D cylindrical objects. You can use it to convert a single object at a time, or to convert several selected objects. However, the Sweep command cannot be used on grouped objects.

    Note: If you select more than one object when creating a sweep, the objects will automatically be grouped. To edit them together, use the Edit Group command. To edit an individual object only, use the Ungroup command and then make your changes to the single object.

    To sweep with specified criteria

      1. Select the desired viewing projection.

      2. Select the 2D object(s) you want to extrude.

      3. While pressing Option (Macintosh) or Shift (Windows) from the Model menu, select Sweep.

      The Create Sweep dialog box appears.

      4. Enter the desired criteria.

      5. Click OK.

    To create a sweep

      1. Choose a centroid for the object to be swept.

      You can either choose a centroid for the object by placing a locus at that point or let VectorWorks sweep the object around the left edge.

      If you choose to place a locus on the object, select the 2D Locus Tool from the 2D Tools palette and click the mouse to place the locus.

      If you choose not to place a locus, VectorWorks will rotate the object around itself to complete the sweep.

      2. Select the 2D object(s) that you want to sweep and, if you created one, the centroid locus for each object.

      Shift-click the object and locus to select them.

      3. Select Sweep from the Model menu.

      VectorWorks automatically creates the sweep determined by the locus, if used, and places it in the same spot as the original object.

    To edit a sweep

      1. Click the object you want to edit.

      2. Select Object Info from the Palette menu.

      The Object Info palette appears. You use the Object Info palette to edit the sweep's arc angle, segment angle, and pitch.

      3. Edit the desired criteria.

    Criteria Description
    Arc Angle The degree of the sweep. By default, objects are swept a full 360º. You can change this measurement by changing the measurement in the textbox after Sweep. If you want to edit individual vertices, convert the sweep to a mesh object.
    Segment Angle The number of segments that make up the sweep. The default is 36 segments, each one 10º from the next on the arc. You can edit the number of segments by changing the angle in Seg. The angle setting must be a positive number. A large number of segments can slow down performance
    Pitch The degree to which the sweep spirals. A sweep's pitch is represented in the plus- or minus-height per revolution. For example, if the pitch is 1", every revolution raises the object a single inch. The default is 0. You can edit the sweep's pitch by changing the measurement in the textbox after Pitch.

    Cutting 3D Sections

    The Cut 3D Section command lets you cut a 3D section out of a 3D model or symbol. The cut section is placed in a separate layer and the original object is unaffected. You can use this command in either standard or linked layers. For example, this command would provide a 3D cutaway section of an object, such as an engine and its various internal components.

    To cut a 3D section from a 3D model

      1. Select the correct layer from the Layers pulldown on the Data Display Bar.

      2. Select Cut 3D Section from the Model menu.

      The cursor changes to a tiny cross-hairs (two crossed lines).

      3. Select the section to cut.

      Press the mouse button at the start of the section you want to cut. Draw a line across the object to define the section. When the line indicates the exact section you want to cut, click the button again.

      If you cut a section while the drawing is in a Plan projection, then the cutting plane (and the cut edge of the object) is perpendicular to the Ground Plane.

      If you cut a section while in a 3D projection, the cutting plane is perpendicular to the Working Plane.

      4. Click on one side of the line to indicate which side to delete.

      VectorWorks automatically creates a new layer and places the cut 3D section in it. The original layer remains unchanged, and the new and original layers are not linked. The new 3D section will behave like any other VectorWorks 3D object.

      Note: Dimensions and text are 2D objects. For that reason, they will not rotate with your cut 3D section.

    Cutting 2D Sections

    The Cut 2D Section command lets you cut a 2D section, or a slice, from a 3D model without affecting the model. The slice is then placed into another layer. You can use this command in either standard or linked layers. For example, if you had a Mechanical 3D drawing and you needed to show the profile or a 2D cutaway section of an object, you would use this command to create the cutaway section in 2D quickly and easily without affecting the original object.

    To cut a 2D section from a 3D model

      1. Select the correct layer from the Layers pulldown on the Data Display Bar.

      2. Select Cut 2D Section from the Model menu.

      The cursor changes to a tiny cross-hairs (two crossed lines).

      3. Draw a line through the object at the area you want to cut.

      Click the mouse button at the start of the section you want to cut. Draw a line across the object to define the section. When the line indicates the exact section you want to cut, click the button again. This line represents the section plane, which will be used to cut across the various planes of the object. In plan projection, the section plane is perpendicular to the Ground Plane. In any 3D projection, the section plane is perpendicular to the Working Plane.

      Note: You can use the 2D Mirror Tool to change the section's orientation.

      4. Click on one side of the line to indicate the section's orientation.

      As you move the cursor from one side of the line to the other, a black arrow indicates the direction from which you are viewing. This arrow determines whether the 2D section which is generated is that which you would see from the right side of the section plane (indicated by A) or the left side (indicated by B). The arrow indicates the view direction to be used to construct the 2D section.

      VectorWorks automatically creates a new layer and places the cut section in it. The original layer remains unchanged, and the new and original layers are not linked. The new 2D section will behave like any other 2D VectorWorks object.



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